Mayor Brandon M. Scott responds to federal criminal indictment arising from Key Bridge collapse

Federal charges confirm allegations that ship operators concealed dangerous conditions, ignored safety requirements, and put Baltimore at risk while now seeking to evade full accountability 

By Baltimore Mayor’s Office

BALTIMORE, Md. (Tuesday, May 12, 2026) — Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott responded to the federal indictment unsealed by the United States Department of Justice against Synergy Marine Private Ltd., Synergy Maritime Private Ltd., and senior Synergy official Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair arising from the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. 

“This indictment supports what Baltimore has alleged from the beginning: this tragedy was not some unavoidable accident, but the result of horrendous corporate conduct, the consequences of which the people of Baltimore have been forced to endure,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Six innocent workers lost their lives. Our residents, businesses, commuters, taxpayers, and port communities suffered enormous harm. The collapse disrupted our transportation network, damaged critical public infrastructure, interfered with maritime commerce, harmed our waterways, and imposed staggering costs on the City and its people – costs the City continues to bear.”

The indictment alleges a years-long conspiracy to conceal dangerous conditions aboard the M/V Dali, falsify inspection records, mislead federal investigators, evade critical maritime safety requirements, and of operating the vessel in U.S. waters, despite known and undisclosed hazards.

According to the indictment, the defendants knowingly operated the M/V Dali using an improper and non-redundant fuel supply configuration that contributed to repeated blackouts, including the blackout immediately preceding the destruction of the Key Bridge on March 26, 2024. The indictment further alleges that the defendants failed to report hazardous conditions to the United States Coast Guard, falsified inspection certificates, concealed prior blackout incidents, and misled investigators after the collapse.

The federal indictment also alleges that the defendants’ conduct caused the discharge of pollutants and debris into the Patapsco River and resulted in at least approximately $5 billion in gross pecuniary losses.

City Solicitor Ebony M. Thompson emphasized that the criminal allegations reinforce the City’s claims in the ongoing civil litigation and further undermine the defendants’ attempt to limit their liability under the Limitation of Liability Act.

“The Department of Justice’s allegations are extraordinary in their breadth and seriousness,” said City Solicitor Ebony M. Thompson. “The indictment alleges that these defendants knowingly concealed hazardous conditions, falsified safety records, failed to disclose critical operational dangers to authorities, and continued operating the vessel despite repeated warning signs and prior blackout events.” 

 “The City of Baltimore strongly believes that the law does not permit parties who allegedly engaged in this type of knowing misconduct and concealment to evade accountability. Baltimore taxpayers should not bear the cost of repairing roads, utilities, water infrastructure, emergency response systems, environmental damage, economic disruption, and other public losses caused by the defendants’ conduct.”

The City noted that Baltimore suffered substantial direct harm from the collapse and its aftermath, including damage to transportation infrastructure, interruption of commerce and port operations, emergency response expenditures, environmental and navigational impacts to the Patapsco River, and damage affecting public systems and infrastructure connected to the bridge corridor and surrounding areas.

Adam Levitt, counsel for the City of Baltimore, said the federal charges substantially reinforce the factual record developed in the civil litigation.

“The indictment alleges an extraordinary pattern of concealment, falsification, and disregard for public safety that confirms and expands upon what the City and other claimants have been uncovering through discovery,” said Adam Levitt. “The people of Baltimore suffered profound losses because of this conduct,” Levitt continued. “The City’s infrastructure, waterways, transportation systems, commerce, and communities were directly harmed. Yet despite these allegations, Petitioners continue  their disgraceful attempt to shift the costs of their alleged wrongdoing onto Baltimore residents and taxpayers. The City will continue fighting to ensure that does not happen.”

The City emphasized that the limitation proceeding remains pending and that Baltimore will continue aggressively pursuing all available remedies to recover the full extent of damages caused by the collapse.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in the early morning hours of March 26, 2024, after being struck by the M/V Dali as the vessel departed the Port of Baltimore. The collapse killed six construction workers, obstructed one of the nation’s most important shipping channels, disrupted commerce throughout the region, and caused extensive public and private damages.

The newly unsealed federal indictment alleges, among other things, conspiracy, obstruction, false statements, violations of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, Clean Water Act offenses, and misconduct resulting in death.

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